Philadelphia to Boston!

We've arrived.

2600+ miles and 64 hours in the car (and counting), and the Cruisin' Cousins have landed at their final destination: Boston, Massachusetts.

Before we embark on our Boston adventures, let me recount our time in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After arriving in Philly late Monday night, we woke up early Tuesday morning to begin touring. First, we went to the National Constitution Center. The center unpacked meanings of our U.S. Constitution and how those meanings are questioned, debated and argued throughout presidencies, social movements and policy issues throughout history. The opening 360-performance gave Lucy and me chills!

After spending time with our new friends at the NCC, we even got to put our John Hancock on a U.S. Constitution!

Next, we went to the Liberty Bell Museum. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of United States independence. The bell used to hang in the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall). John Pass and John Stow recast the bell after it cracked when being rung after its arrival to Philadelphia. According to our exceptional National Park Ranger, Jane, the bell was more of an "American backyard special" made out of recycled material. Jane says it's a miracle the bell didn't crack the same year it was commissioned in 1752.

Despite the amateur bell casters, who added pewter instead of pure copper/tin when recasting the bell, the original Liberty Bell still stands (or hangs).

Liberty Bell

After grabbing some coffee and souvenirs, we headed towards the City Tavern for dinner. Along the way, we passed the First Bank of the United States and the Second Bank of the U.S. Thanks to Alexander Hamilton, who insisted the U.S. acquire a central bank for economic stability, the First Bank of the U.S. began in 1791. But it was only chartered for 20 years. Claiming the bank as unconstitutional, Jefferson and Madison led others in arguing that the bank didn't benefit the U.S. majority. Today, the First Bank of the U.S. is simply a historic site and after making changes to the First Bank's charter, the Second Bank was chartered in 1816 to 1836.

First Bank of the U.S.

Our delicious City Tavern meal gave us enough energy to face the rain (again) and snap a picture at the JFK Plaza with the famous LOVE letters.

Unable to get Independence Hall tickets Tuesday, we were praying that an early Visitor Center arrival would assure us two tickets Wednesday morning. And thankfully, it did! We stood in the room where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed! In fact, Lucy and I stood in Independence Hall for so long that we were asked by a National Park Ranger to leave. Whoops!

Independence Hall

(Inside Independence Hall - Signing of the Declaration of Independence & U.S. Constitution)

Later, we toured Congress Hall, the place Congress occupied when Philadelphia was the U.S. capital from 1790 to 1800. The House of Representatives functioned downstairs, reserving the upper floor for the Senate.

Congress Hall (House Floor)

 Congress Hall (Senate Floor) 

After Congress Hall, we visited Christ's Church - the first Episcopalian church of the U.S, founded in 1695. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin both attended Christ's Church. The architecture was beautiful! The church still holds services today, and after talking to one of the tour guides, most of the members are surprisingly young - between their 20s and 30s. After Christ's Church, we visited Benjamin Franklin's graveside.

Christ's Church

Franklin's Pew at Christ's Church:

To conclude our tour of Philadelphia, we chowed down on our first Philly cheesesteaks at Pat's King of Steaks. There's an art to ordering a Philly Cheesesteak: "One, whiz, wit." Translation: One Philly cheesesteak with cheese and onions. We butchered our order pronouncing the "with" is a grammatical error in Philly. Nevertheless, this experience exposed us to true Philadelphian culture.

After lunch, we headed to Boston to catch the Red Sox at Fenway! Bucket list: singing Sweet Caroline at a Red Sox game. Check. One game at Fenway might've turned me into a Sox fan. My brother, a Yankees fan, is a little disappointed... Go Sox!

Fenway Park!

We're ecstatic to be in Boston! Our plan is to fit in as much as possible before Saturday's departure. Let's go!!